Deborah Choma

Tuesday, March 27

Which Fork?

At the heart of an Anne Tyler novel that was suggested for me to read, was a belief that, "If you had the chance, would you go back and take another fork in the road, knowing you would lead an entirely different life?"

If you were to present this question in an interview, my answer would be a simply, "No."

The similarity I have with Anne Tyler is that I am a private person who rarely lets the demands or distractions interfere with family life. My home is a haven, and those whom God has entrusted to me, are protected at all cost and sacrifice.

Life has had many struggles for me however, my qualities and character are shining examples of His magnificence and purpose for all things - good and bad.

No, I would not change a thing. I am the sum total of a road that was either precisely or consequentially taken. All of it has brought me to the present, and an ever increasing closeness to God and awareness of others.

We all have a story, a burden, and a need. However we choose to walk, the ability to keep walking
lies in the choices we make. There isn’t a problem too big for God. You decide!

I have a friend who daily faces some of the toughest struggles that any of us collectively would ever have to face. She lives with the knowledge, that at any moment her life can be halted by her precarious physical condition. As I encouraged her on the phone yesterday, I quietly wept as she unzipped her heart. She inspires me to rise above my mediocre thinking. To allow God to do that which He does best, that we may know "the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." 1 Tim 1:14

As I read portions of Psalm 46 to my friend, I decided to
revisit this Psalm today and pull the verses apart. Every day, I pray for
knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. I have never been disappointed. God
answers our prayers.

Psalm 46

1 “God is our refuge
and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Notice the emphasis on is.
An absolute!

2 “Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and
though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;”

This verse is describing the great flood. (Gen 7,8)

3 “Though the waters
thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the
swelling thereof.” Selah.

The focus is on the flood. As bad as it could get, God is
reminding us, that His position has never changed. At the end of this verse, He
places ‘Selah’ – which means to pause and think.

4 “There is a river,
the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most
High.”

The river is fulfilled in Rev 22:1 – New river. The city of God
is Jerusalem.

5 “God is in the
midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.”

6 “The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his
voice, the earth melted.”

Melted, that is, lost its importance.

7 “The LORD OF HOSTS is
with us; the God of Jacob is our
refuge.” Selah.

8 “Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath
made in the earth.”

This is a prophetic verse, concerning Christ.

9 “He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he
breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in
the fire.”

This verse is fulfilled, Christ’s Kingdom, in Rev 20:4, 6 &
Ezk 39:9

10 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in
the earth.”

11 “The LORD of hosts is
with us; the God of Jacob is our
refuge.” Selah.

These Covenant blessings are not meant to be solely looked at, but
to be appropriated. Even our Lord Jesus is given to us for our present use. For
the most part, we do not make use of Christ as we ought. When we are in
trouble, why do we withhold our grief from Him? Has He not a sympathizing
heart, and can He not comfort and relieve us? No, we go about to all our
friends, save our best Friend, and tell our tale everywhere except into the
bosom of our Lord.

Are you burdened with the day's grief or sins? Here is a
fountain filled with blood: use it, friend, use it! Has a sense of guilt
returned to you? The pardoning grace of Jesus may be proved again and again.
Come to Him for cleansing. Do you deplore your weakness? He is our strength:
why not lean on Him? Do you feel exposed? Bring your soul closer; put on the
robe of Jesus' righteousness. Don’t stand looking at it, but wear it! Strip off
your own righteousness and your own fears too: put on the fair white linen, for
it was meant to be worn. Do you feel sick? Pull the night-bell of prayer, and
call up the Beloved Physician! He will give the cordial that will revive you.
Poor, we have "a kinsman, a mighty man of wealth."

Ask Him to give of His abundance, as He has given us this
promise, that thou shalt be joint heir with Him, and has made over all that He
is and all that He has to be ours.

There is nothing Christ dislikes more than for His disciples to
make a show-thing of Him, and not to use Him. He loves to be employed by us.
The more burdens we put on His shoulders, the more precious will He be to us.

There are two steps to changing anything in our life. Believing
in God’s ability to arm us with all that we need, and by receiving. Until you
receive what you believe, you haven’t got it!

Deborah Choma

The Women's Wellness Institute

The Editor

About

Honoring Christ with your life. Achieving the gold standard for an "Eternal Elegance," and Authentic Christian Presence

Description

Corporate Trainer | Conference Speaker

Deborah Choma is an accomplished trainer whose polished, professional style is part of a broader philosophy developed over thirty-years of personal and business experience. Etiquette has been cultivated into a way of life for Deborah with broad experience that distinguishes her presenting style. Her global expertise has clearly defined her path to success in the areas of communication, image, and etiquette.

With an eloquence that engages her audience, Deborah illustrates aspects of displaying one’s personal best through the various elements of Christian Presence Training.

Ms. Choma is a conference speaker for one of the largest women’s conventions in North America and has valuable experience as a keynote speaker in the Chicagoland area. Her teaching style is warm, engaging, and diverse, yet relevant to young and old alike.

Inspire | Influence | Improve

As a family-oriented wife and mother, her family first approach is the heartbeat of Deborah’s message. She actively serves in the community and her church, transferring skills through a self-developed program.

Author | Eloquence

Deborah is a powerful presenter gifted with an ability to transform individuals through a Christian presence program. She has a portfolio of formal training through the various elements of first impressions; 1999 International Hair Expo 1st place model; Entrepreneur, business owner; Author of two books due for publishing; 37,000-reader audience on her blog," Founder and President of "The Women's Wellness Institute."